Healthy Habits for Bonsall & Fallbrook Folks: Seizures – uncontrolled electricity

Megan Johnson McCullough

Special to the Village News

When a seizure takes place, there is actual electrical activity occurring in the brain. A seizure can go unnoticed, but we are more familiar with the type that results in unconsciousness and convulsions. The body suddenly starts to shake uncontrollably. They last between 30 seconds and two minutes.

For some people, this can be an isolated incidence, but for others seizures can come and go. Epilepsy is the term for the condition when seizures keep coming back. Luckily, less than one in 10 people who have had a seizure actually have epilepsy.

Seizures can be caused by a number of reasons, but typically the root cause is unknown. Possible causes include low blood sugar, brain tumors, head injuries, flashing lights, stroke, medications or withdrawal from medications (Xanax or narcotics), lack of sleep, stress, or the actual use of narcotics.

Epilepsy also runs in families. The risk for development is about 1 in 100 people. A doctor will perform a neurological examination for diagnosis and perform blood tests to rule out all possible causes. An electroencephalogram is the most common test. Electrodes are attached to the scalp which will record the electrical activity of the brain. CT scans and MRIs can also be used.

There are actually different types of seizures. Tonic-clonic (grand mal) are the most common type. You might stop breathing and feel like your body has gone stiff in the legs and arms. The limbs start to jerk and the head shakes. Absence seizures (petit mal) last only a few seconds, are more common in children, and are marked by a short period of losing awareness. Febrile seizures are a type of convulsion that occurs when a child has a fever that is very high when they are sick. These are very short.

There are also seizures specific to infants (infantile) that happen at age 4 and under and then stop. There are also focal seizures which occur in a specific area of the brain. During a focal onset aware seizure, the person remains conscious during the short seizure (less than two minutes). When focal onset impaired awareness seizures occur, the person is unconscious and typically has noticeable lip smacking, chewing, or movement of the legs.

A person suffering from seizures should try to identify their triggers. They should take note of the time of day, sounds and sights around, what activity they were doing, their level of fatigue, and how long it had been since they had eaten.

Treatment involves antiseizure medications which can help reduce the number of seizures you have. A vagus nerve stimulator can be placed under the skin that stimulates the nerves that run through the neck. The ketogenic diet is also recommended consisting of high fat and low carbohydrates. Brain surgery can be done to the area that causes seizures.

Living with this condition can be challenging and discouraging but finding the right treatment to manage seizures can help. The support and care of others provides hope. Electricity in the brain that is abnormal is not something anyone would wish upon themselves. There is help and seizures can be reduced in their frequency.

Megan Johnson McCullough holds a master's degree in physical education and health science, is a candidate for her doctorate, is a professional natural bodybuilder and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine master trainer.